Page 11 - MyFaith Mag October 2016 Web

I can tell you from experience that it’s so much better to take care of
a problem when it’s little. It’s good to address it as quickly as possible over the years (many times the hard way) just how valuable God’s
before it has an opportunity to take root and turn into something
more serious.
I’ve learned that the quicker I can forgive somebody, the easier it’s go-
ing to be. Sometimes this means being the first one to apologize and
make peace—even if it’s not my fault!
However, the more we do the right thing, the easier it gets. The
quicker I forgive others and get rid of any offense, the more peace
I have in my life. After a while, you realize that staying offended
doesn’t change other people or solve your problems—it only makes
you bitter and angry.
I often say that staying mad at someone who has hurt you is like
taking poison and hoping your enemy will die. You don’t hurt them at
all—you only hurt yourself!
There were times when I would get upset with my husband, Dave,
and let it ruin my entire day. I was determined to make him pay. If he
was in the family room watching television, I would purposely not go
in there, refusing to talk to him.
The problem was Dave didn’t care. He would sit and watch sports and
have a good time while I thought I was really “getting him back.” He
probably thought, Good, I can get some quiet for a change!
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Psalm 34:14 tells us to “seek peace and pursue it” (NIV). I’ve learned
supernatural peace really is. Now, I absolutely refuse to live without
it! It is so much greater than living with the toxic results of holding
unforgiveness in my heart.
Opportunities to be offended will never go away, but we can grow
wise to the enemy’s tactics and learn how to respond in a godly way.
So, the next time you are tempted to be offended, don’t take the bait!
Always remember that you have a choice. You can choose to be angry
and bitter...or you can decide to forgive, believe the best of others,
and enjoy God’s supernatural peace.
For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-CD series, Understanding Your
Triggers & Avoiding the Trap of Offense.
Visit www.joycemeyer.org.
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce
Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 100 books, including
Battlefield of the Mind and Overload: How to Unplug, Unwind and Unleash
Yourself from the Pressure of Stress (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying
Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations
worldwide.
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